Work Permit Canada
Learn about the different types of work permits; how to apply for one, what to do if it expires, and where to get help if you need qualified assistance.
Article Navigation:
- Open Work Permit Canada
- How to Apply for an Open Work Permit
- Open Work Permit Fees
- Work Permit Consultant in Edmonton
- Employer-Specific Work Permits
- What is Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- LMIA Employer Services
- Work Permit Canada Processing Time
- Work Permit Duration
- What to Do if My Work Permit Already Expired or Will Soon Expire?
- Bridging Work Permit
- What is the Difference Between a Work Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa?
- Does a Work Permit Allow Me To Travel To and From Canada?
What is a Work Permit?
A work permit is an official document issued by the government, allowing foreign workers to legally work in Canada. Canadian work experience counts towards your overall score in your permanent residence application.
Work permits can be of major types: open permits and employer-specific permits.
Open work permits do not require a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Employer-specific permits can be of two types: with or without LMIA.
As their names suggest, open permits allow candidates to apply for any position, with any employer or several employers at the same time for a fixed duration of time.
Working for a Canadian employer adds towards your Canadian work experience, which in turn leads to higher chances of becoming a Canadian permanent resident or Canadian citizen.
Open Work Permit Canada
Open work permits are open to the following categories of applicants:
- International students who have graduated from Canadian colleges or universities (Post-Graduation Work Permit, or PGWP)
- Spouses/partners of full-time students and skilled foreign workers
- Foreign nationals who have applied and are waiting for their permanent residence status (the so-called Bridging Open Work Permit, or BOWP)
- Young people who want to travel and work through the International Experience Canada Program (IEC). Check here to see if your country is eligible.
How to Apply for an Open Work Permit
Work Permit Consultant in Edmonton
Work with the best work permit consultant in Edmonton to apply for and receive your work permit as a foreign worker. We will review your situation and determine the best strategy to apply and then be approved for a work permit.
LIVIN immigration specializes in filing work permit applications for candidates as well as filing LMIA applications with the Government. If you are an employer looking to hire a foreign worker and do not know where to start contact us for a free consultation!
Open Work Permit Fees:
The total cost of a work permit is CAD$255, which breaks down as follows:
- work permit fee (CAD$155);
- open work permit holder fee (CAD$100).
Employer-Specific Work Permits
Most work permits issued in Canada are employer-specific. Such permits allow applicants to work only for one employer during a set duration of time. Employer-specific work permits can be issued with or without the LMIA requirement.
Programs that don’t require an LMIA, but require a job offer or a contract:
- International Mobility Program (IMP)
- NAFTA Work Permits
- CETA Work Permits
- Intra-Company Transfers
Programs that require LMIA:
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
- Facilitated LMIA (Quebec)
- Global Talent Stream
If you want to come to Canada to work temporarily please contact us for more information, we will help you choose the right program and fill out your application.
What is Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)?
LMIA is a document that confirms that there is no Canadian or Permanent resident available to do a job and therefore a foreign worker is needed. It is typically applied for by employers.
A positive LMIA means that the employee has been able to prove to the authorities that a foreign worker is needed, and as a next step employee can apply for a work permit
LMIA Employer Services
LIVIN Immigration has a background of successful Canadian work permit and LMIA applications and our applicants have worked in a variety of markets and industries in Canada. We have helped both employers and employees grow the Canadian economy and we are planning to continue.
Work Permit Canada Processing Time
For applicants outside of Canada: average 60 Days (processing standard) but depends on the Visa Office
For applications under the International Experience Canada (IEC): 56 Days
Work permit extensions: 120 Days
What to Do if My Work Permit Already Expired or Will Soon Expire?
If you are still in Canada and your work permit expired, it means you are no longer allowed to work in Canada and must therefore stop working.
From here, you can apply for a new work permit or extend your existing permit. To maintain your legal status, we recommend that you apply for an extension of your work permit, even if it’s about to expire. According to local laws, this will help you maintain your legal status until a decision is made by the authorities. Work permit extensions are usually processed within 134 days, which effectively gives you an additional 6 months of being able to legally work in Canada. Keep in mind you will have to restore your status as a worker if your work permit has already expired and you are in a 90 day window from expiry date.
Bridging Work Permit
A bridging work permit is a temporary work permit allowing you to continue working legally in Canada. This type of permit is issued to holders of previously issued work permits in good standing, allowing them to continue their work in Canada while waiting to get their permanent residence status. Generally the longer you have worked in Canada under your work permit, the higher the chances to get your permanent residence.
Your bridge work permit can be issued if you applied for your permanent residence under one of these programs:
- Permanent residence using Express Entry
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Quebec skilled workers
- Home Child-Care Provider Pilot or Home Support Worker Pilot
- Caring for children class or caring for people with high medical needs class
- Agri-Food Pilot
What is the Difference Between a Work Permit and a Temporary Resident Visa?
A work permit is authorization to work legally in Canada.
A Temporary Resident Visa is authorization to travel/enter to Canada.
Once you have received your work permit, you will also need to apply for and acquire a temporary resident visa (if you are from a visa-required country) to be able to physically board the plane and come to Canada. Having a work permit doesn’t automatically grant you the right to come to Canada or leave the country. To check if you are from a visa-required country check the below link.
Does a Work Permit Allow Me To Travel To and From Canada?
No, it doesn’t give you the right to travel to Canada. A work permit only allows you to legally work in Canada.
Together with a permit, you will separately need either a temporary resident visa or an electronic travel authorization (eTA).